Court to hear Makinde’s candidacy suit Mar 9

A Federal High Court in Ibadan has adjourned till March 9 to hear a case challenging the candidacy of Seyi Makinde as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State.

The suit was filed by Olugbenga Bayode and Rasaq Adegboyega, who claimed to be SDP members.

In the suit by their counsel, Adenle Adeloye, the plaintiffs alleged that Makinde was not the “proper” candidate to represent the SDP in the election because he was not part of the primary conducted last December 6.

They further claimed that Aworinde Oluwafemi Samson emerged as the governorship candidate in the December 6 primary.

At the proceedings yesterday, Makinde’s counsel Yaqub Fadare told the court that the defence had filed necessary documents asking the court to dismiss the suit.

SDP’s counsel Idowu Oyeleke urged the court to strike out the case, saying the party’s defence team had filed notice of preliminary objection, written address, statement of defence and other necessary documents.

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) counsel, Omoniyi Fayanju, told the court that the screening of all the candidates were done at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, saying he would connect with the Legal Department at the headquarters to obtain necessary documents.